Whistler Hilton, B.C.
December 5-12, 2021
Last updated: June 18, 2021 – Check this page again 2 weeks prior to your course start date
Welcome to the Canadian Avalanche Association's Operations Level 2 Course.
Preparation is key to success on the Level 2 program and this webpage is provided to help you do so. Below you will find pertinent information for your course; read
through the entire page carefully.
The Level 2 Course takes place over 8 days and includes a blend of classroom and field-based learning as well as some online pre-course questions. The course focuses on the following themes: personal performance, team building, communication, advanced snow science concepts, operational decision-making and risk management.
Aside from this logistics information there will be limited written correspondence from the CAA regarding your course. Please contact the CAA directly (250-837-2435) if you have any questions.
We wish you well on your travels this winter and success during your course.
Sincerely,
Andrea Lustenberger
Industry Training Program Manager
Pre-course preparation checklist
Pre-course preparation checklist:
- Check this page again 2 weeks prior to course start date.
- You have been provided with a link to the Level 2 pre-course questions in your Registration Confirmation email. These online resources and questions take a significant amount of time (15-20 hours) and are mandatory. Prepare yourself
well ahead of time and complete all assignments before the start of the course. Upon completion of the pre-course questions, you will be issued a Level 2 pre-course completion certificate and this must be available to your instructors
at the course start.
- Familiarize yourself with the terms and concepts of the Conceptual Model of Avalanche Hazard as this is foundational to much
of our work.
- Study terrain and possible field trips in and around your course's backcountry area. Use current snowpack information, weather data and terrain information (maps, pictures, Google Earth, guidebooks) to get a better understanding of the terrain, climate and snowpack conditions currently present in the area. Apply the Parks Canada ATES ratings to the area – in general, what sort of terrain can be found in the region? What are the general characteristics of the area in terms of avalanche hazard and snow stability?
- Review the Snow Profile Procedures video to ensure you are up-to-date on best practices for completing snow profiles efficiently and with fewer
errors.
- Bring a copy of the Avalanche Handbook and the CAA’s Observation Guidelines and Recording Standards (OGRS 2016). A digital/mobile copy is
also available on the CAA website.
Location and Start Time
Start time: 7:00 am sharp on December 5, 2021.Location: The course will be held in the Black Tusk Room at the Whistler Hilton, 4050 Whistler Way, Whistler, BC V8E 1H9 (604) 932 1982.
Click here for a map of the course location: Whistler Hilton.
Equipment List
Sample Schedule
View a Sample Schedule of the Level 2 Course. Note that course days are full so ensure that you have adequate food and drink for the week, it is also recommended that you not make any outside plans during the course.
Transportation
Students are responsible for their own transportation to and from the course location and field trip sites. Carpooling is only recommended for students who are from the same household.
If your course requires lift access, tickets are provided by your instructors. If you have a season's pass for the area please bring this to the course. Some courses have alternate transportation such as helicopters, this cost is covered in your course fees.
Accommodation
COVID-19 Information
Go to our
ITP COVID-19 Information webpage to familiarize yourself with the most up to date COVID-19 Industry Training Program information.
Release of Liability and Waiver
Students are required to complete a Release of Liability and Waiver at the start of each course. A link to the Release of Liability and Waiver is found below. Please note that the document has two pages:
Student Policies
Go to our
Student Resources webpage to familiarize yourself with the Student Policies.